Culture & Adventure in Belize & Guatemala - Gate 1 Tour

Culture & Adventure in Belize & Guatemala - 13 day tour by Gate-1 Travel

This is my 6th land tour with Gate-1 Travel, and I have been to both countries previously on cruise ship visits.  I am traveling as a solo.

Day 1 - Sunday - February 22, 2026 - Travel Day 

I woke early, finished packing, and met my driver, Jermaine, at 6:30 a.m. for the drive to the TPA airport.  It’s only about a 40-minute drive from the Oasis.  I had to wait for the specialty line to get special assistance, as the Kiosk could not confirm my Belize travel visa.  Glad I arrived early.  TSA was slow this morning as well, but everything was fine, and there was plenty of time.  My flight to Miami was also fine, but the Belize flight was delayed by an hour, so I had time for a Nathan’s hot dog and, surprisingly, very good soft potato fries with a Coca-Cola.  Only an hour delay, so we were soon off on our 2+ hour flight to Belize City, landing at about 3:00 p.m. local time (CST).  I had an entire exit row to myself, so the flight was easy for me.  I started this blog posting and reviewed the itinerary for this tour during the flight.  There were four from my tour group on my flight, so the Gate-1 representative had us wait for our van to the hotel: Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza (photo).  We met our Tour Manager, Alejandro Gillot, upon arrival at the hotel, and he had already arranged our rooms and a welcome drink.  After a quick orientation, we were free for the rest of the day.  My room is large and comfortable. I unpacked, then went for a short walk before heading to the Jaguar Bar for my first draft Belikin Beer in a while.   I decided to have a couple, then take one back to my room and prepare for an early night because of the early meet time for our excursion day tomorrow.  It was an easy travel day and prep day for the beginning of our tour.

Day 2 - Monday - February 23, 2026 - Lamanai Maya Ruins. 

I slept very well and woke just before my early alarm.  I am glad that I brought along my travel fan for better air circulation.  I had a wonderful omelette and fresh fruit when the dining room opened at 6:30 a.m.  We then had our Gate-1 group meeting at 7:30 a.m. before leaving on today's big excursion to the Lamanai Mayan ruins.  We took an hour+ bus ride northwest to the New River, then took a perfectly sized speedboat for our 22+ people, north upriver for an hour+ ride to the Lamanai site, stopping occasionally to view birds.  This was my second visit to this site, and the weather was perfectly overcast for the approximately 1-mile walking tour.  We were greeted by a troupe of Howler Monkeys, and one felt as though we were entering the Jurassic Park movie jungle. There are three major Temples to view, plus the museum.  These are great ruins and a beautiful jungle park; my favorite is the smaller of the three major sites, the Jaguar Temple, as it has original carved masks (photo). Amazing.  We were served a great Belizean lunch: Red Beans & Rice, Chicken, pickled spicy onions, and a slaw, with a beverage of choice.  I had a Belizean Coca-Cola made with the original cane sugar recipe.  All was wonderful.  We then had another amazing boatride back. Great fun.  We arrived back in time to prepare for our 6:00 p.m cocktails before our first group dinner at 6:30 at the hotel.  I enjoyed a couple of Beliken beers prior to our 4-course meal.  We enjoyed a hearty Vegetable Soup, a Green Salad, an entree of local fresh Fish with Mashed Potatoes and Vegetables, and a nice Pastry with Carmel for dessert.  It was a very good dinner.  We received our schedule for tomorrow, and most retired as we start early again.  I reviewed my blog entry almost exactly 10 years ago to the day to compare experiences.  This is one of my favorite excursions when in Belize.  I am also very pleased with this hotel, its service, food, and fast Wi-Fi.  It was a great first full day in Belize.

Day 3 - Tuesday - February 24, 2026 - Ferry to Caye Caulker Island 

I woke at about 2:00 a.m and just could not get back to sleep, although the room is comfortable, so I worked online, balanced accounts, and caught up on news and weather. I finished packing and, at about 6:30 a.m., went to the hotel Bistro for a nice breakfast.  I enjoyed fresh fried eggs and the fresh Watermelon and Guava were excellent.  Our bag pickup was at 7:45 a.m., but I rolled mine down early because I wanted to pay my bill.  Once we boarded the bus at about 8:30 a.m., we did a panoramic tour of Belize City, and we stopped at the old Anglican Church and the old British colonial Governor's Mansion, now a museum.  I’m glad it has been converted and restored; it looks much better than when I first saw it years ago.  The new Ferry Terminal is impressive compared to the old one and much closer to the cruise pier and area.  Our group was off on the 10:30 Ferry and arrived at Caye Caulker in about 45 minutes, an island I love and have visited several times on day trips while on cruise ships.  This will be my first time spending a couple of nights there.  Our waterfront hotel, the Island Magic Beach Resort, is only a few blocks from the ferry port.  Island Magic has a lovely beach area with outside dining and relaxation areas (photo).  We were served a welcome drink and were very comfortable on this beautiful day, cooled by the sea breeze.  We were soon served a very nice lunch we had preordered, outdoors in a beach pavilion.  I had some very good Chicken Tacos (3) and a light Biliken Beer.  Since our rooms were not yet available, we were served an additional round of cocktails. I ordered the Panty Ripper, the local favorite, and we all enjoyed the sea breeze. My room was amazing; it was on the lower level (as requested) and was a beach cabana-style with a small kitchenette.  I had a porch with chairs and a hammock overlooking the Pool and the beach area beyond.  I soon went to a local grocery, only a block away from the roadside entry, and stocked my refrigerator with Biliken Beer and Coca-Cola.  I am set for the next few days.  At about 4:00 p.m. I did my walkabout, walking up to the famous Split (where the island was split in two by a 1961 hurricane) and the location of the infamous Lazy Lizard.  The area has improved with a seawall built and a beach/sand area raised about a foot.  The original bar is now lower than the surrounding area.  Lots of new seating and palapas were created along the new beach and along the split itself.  Large new toilets & showers built in the back as well as covered pavilions. It is even more Amazing.  They can now handle large crowds and large events.  I did a casual walk back, looking at street food, the new bars & restaurants, and the tour operators that have opened over the past several years.  Once back at our hotel, I enjoyed a snack and Coca-Cola before retiring early.  It was a great day in paradise.  

Day 4 - Wednesday - February 25, 2026 - Caye Caulker Island, Belize 

I slept very well for over 8 hours, but did wake early, and the sunrise was spectacular. I updated this blog and caught up on online business.  The group is up early as we have a private catamaran to take us snorkeling on the famous barrier reef, to visit the Coral Garden National Park, and to Shark Alley to view Nurse Sharks.  I am going to pass on the group excursion today, as I have done it twice before, and will enjoy the resort and island.  I do hope they will spot a giant barracuda, as I did on a previous snorkel trip here.  I had breakfast on the beach, the local Belizean Breakfast with fresh Scrambled eggs, Fijoles, Cheese, four wonderful fresh Belizean Fried Jacks, and perfect Leche Caliente.  It was delicious with a wonderful view.  I really spent the entire day relaxing at the resort.  I spent some time at the end of the pier, on my balcony, or on the beach in a swing chair.  I did eat a hamburger for lunch, disappointed in that, but I’m a well-known hamburger snob, having written reviews on burgers for many years.  The weather was pleasant.  There were excellent Belikan Beers involved throughout the day as well.  When the group arrived back, they were tired but excited about the experience.  They had a good day, and yes, they saw Barracuda among many things.  This is the best place to snorkel in the Caribbean, IMHO.  We had a group dinner inside this evening at 6:30 p.m.  We had preordered at breakfast, and I had excellent baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, and excellent Cole Slaw.  Beautiful sunrises and sunsets here, something I couldn’t experience on my many previous cruise day trips (photo). We have an early start tomorrow, so I retired early this evening.  It was a great relaxing day on Caue Caulker.

Day 5 - Thursday - February 26, 2026 - Ferry to Belize City, Jaguar Paw Cave Tubing, San Ignacio 

I slept well and was up early to update this blog and to pack. We had an early breakfast. This resort has been very accommodating.  They picked up our bags early and took them to the ferry terminal just a few blocks away.  Alexandro had us all there early to wait for the 10:30 a.m. ferry, and it was smart as the ferry was packed.  Once back in Belize City, we had a short potty break while they transferred our luggage to the bus.  BTW, the toilets are clean and cost, but Gate-1 passes out the $1 Belizean coins for us to use.  We were off on our 1.2-hour drive west for the Cave Tubing adventure.  We arrived, were fitted with helmets and small water vests, and received an orientation before our long 1.25+ mile trek to the launch point.  Gate-1 had arranged to have our tubes at the entry, so we did not have to carry them with us.  Thanks, I had to carry mine on a previous visit here. We soon crossed the river that would later be our exit point and made stops along the way at a large cave with bats, and also to view the flora and fauna along the jungle trail.  Once there, they lashed our tubes in groups of 6 and 7 each with a guide, and we were off, floating to the huge entrance of the cave. We had entered the jaguar's mouth.  Some of the cave chambers were massive, and it was an amazing experience, highly recommended.  We then ate a very nice Belizean lunch before boarding our bus to San Ignacio.  We made a surprise stop for ice cream along the way, thank you, Gate-1.  When we arrived in San Ignacio, we took a 30-minute orientation tour of the city center. I was impressed with the open markets.  This city is a melting pot of Nationalities, including Asian, Central American, and Mennonite.  Our rural hotel was just west of town and had lovely grounds and nice free-standing modern cabins. We had a very nice dinner @ 6:30 p.m that included: Pork Chops, Sausage, & Chicken.  Also, nice Belizean vegetables… all were flavorful.  I retired soon afterward.  Another wonderful day in Belize.

Day 6 - Friday - February 27, 2026 - Border Crossing to Guatemala, Yaxha National Park, Flores

I woke early to update my blog,  review the OU softball game, and review finances.  Too tired last night, and all is well.  Breakfast was excellent this morning, served buffet style. I had Eggs, Fried Ham (tasted like bacon), and they actually put out some Cinnamon & Honey to add to the Fry Jacks, and they were amazing.  We were soon on our way to the Belize-Guatemala border crossing.  Here we leave our bus, collect our bags, and proceed into the Belizean customs.  Gate-1 pays all of our fees.  We then have our passports stamped, walk about 50 yards into Guatemalan customs, get passports stamped, and walk out to our new bus and local guide. The process only took about half an hour.  We then proceeded to Yaxha National Park, a Mayan site I had never heard of before today, but which has a quite magnificent restoration of several large Mayan Temples. Please click the link to learn more. It was an amazing sight. We also have numerous Tropical Birds and both howler and spider monkeys.  Afterward, we stopped at El Portal de Yaxha, a nice restaurant that served us a wonderful choice of meals.  I had the Chicken Fajitas and my first Gallo beer.  We then proceeded towards Flores and our hotel for the next two nights: Hotel Villa Maya.  This is a large lodge complex built on a lagoon and is a Wildlife Sanctuary. It does remind me of similar lodges in Africa or Brazil. Certainly a 5-star operation. My room is in a four-unit complex with balconies overlooking the lagoon. I had a Cabro beer at the Lagoon overlook before we had dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Restaurant.  I ordered a wonderful steamed-in-leaves fish entree, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetables, and Pumpkin soup.  It was very good.  I really like this complex, simple, and relaxing, but so much to do as well.  I retired early as we have another early wake-up in the morning.

Day 6 - Saturday - February 28, 2026 - Tikal National Park

I slept well and woke early to update this blog and review the news.  I did a short walkabout on the way to 7:00 a.m. breakfast in the restaurant.  The buffet was excellent. I enjoyed: hot milk, two premade Omelettes, Bacon, Plantain, Papaya Juice, Potatoes, watermelon, papaya, pineapple, and more.  At 8:00 a.m., we were off on the bus, on our way to Tikal National Park. Tikal is the ruin of an ancient city, found in a rainforest in the Petén district of Guatemala. It is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Tikal was the capital of a state that became one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya. Though monumental architecture at the site dates back to the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its apogee during the Classic Period, c200 to 900.  This is a major site equal to or exceeding other major Mayan ruins I have visited, such as Chichen Itza, Coba, Uxmal, and Dzibilchaltun.  I saw a lot of wildlife incuding: a Pizote, Spider Monkeys, Coatis, and more.  Tikal is very unique in many ways from other sites.  It was a bucket-list visit for me.  At about 1:00 p.m., we had lunch at one of the few restaurants in the park. It was good; I enjoyed Veggie Soup,  Carne Asada with vegetables, a nice Hibiscus drink, and dessert.  We stopped at a local craft co-op on the return trip to Hotel Villa Maya, and they also had a great diorama of the Tikal sites. Alejandro and Gate-1 bought a round of drinks at the bar at about 4:30 p.m., and I sampled the local Rum.
A server tipped us that the huge Crocodile was back, so we made our way to the lagoon side to observe him…he was impressively big.  Dinner was on our own tonight, but I passed and retired to my room and enjoyed the sunset over the lagoon. It was a majestic, but tiring day at Tikal.

Day 8 - Sunday - March 1, 2026 - Lake Peten Itza, Travel to Rio Dulce

I slept well, but got up early again to pack and set out our luggage.  Breakfast is again at 7:00 a.m.

FYI-Once we leave this Sunday morning, we will not have WiFi until we reach Antiqia on Tuesday evening.

MSC Grandiosa - January 31 - February 7, 2026

MSC Grandiosa  -  January 31 - February 7,  2026

I’m sailing as a Solo guest on the MSC Grandiosa, one of my favorite ships.  This is my second cruise on The Grandiosa, my 32nd cruise on MSC, and my 231st cruise overall.

Just the Facts

Ship:  MSC Grandiosa (2019) - 181,500 tons - 6300 pax

Captain: Danilo Cha (Italy)  /  Hotel Director: Hinesh Mensee (India)  /  Cruise Director: Gavin Carroll (UK)

Ports: Port Canaveral, FL  - 

San Juan, Puerto Rico - Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

 - Nassau, Bahamas

Saturday - January 31, 2026  -  Embarkation - Port Canaveral, Florida 

I was very worried about the weather, but the winter storm is expected to begin arriving around 1:00 p.m. today, so I am very hopeful about travel.  I woke early, finished packing, and hit the road at about 7:45 a.m. for my 2+ hour drive to Merritt Island, Florida.  I parked at Park-N-Cruise, my favorite parking lot, arriving around 10:15 a.m.  They were loading the first bus, so my karma has been perfect this morning.  We arrived at the port, and I was through security and checked in at the Yacht Club for boarding before the ship was actually cleared.  Within a few minutes, I was on my way and was actually among the first few on the ship.  The first stop was the Bistro on deck six, where you can make reservations for specialty dining.  I actually have two packages, so five dinners plus my D+ complementary one.  I made reservations for six nights, saving only Gala Night for my MDR dinner.  The dining should be great on this cruise.  I then dropped my luggage in my Cabin on deck 8, then went to the Marketplace Buffet on deck 15 for lunch.  I had a fresh pasta with bolognese and a selection of items from the buffet.  Afterward, I returned to deck 6 for my Muster Station check-in.  All my first-day must-do list completed by noon.  I was feeling pretty good about it all, but to top it off, my favorite crew member walked up the beautiful Swarovski Crystal staircase…Mirela.  We visited, and I mentioned that I wanted to experiment with a new cocktail as I had attended a couple of tastings and had some ideas.  She said, "Lets do it now.”  We were just across from The Edge cocktail bar, so we had the first Elderflower and Spiced Rum (with mint) Martini. She liked it, as did I. A couple at the bar ordered one, and they liked it too.  No name for it as yet, but we have all week.  I did enjoy another one or two.  I unpacked and set up my cabin.  I met my Cabin Steward and requested ice for the week and washcloths.  I love the cabin, it’s an ocean view on deck 8, and perfect for the cooler weather expected. It’s a very large window too…not a small porthole you find on many ships.  I began updating this blog and took a quick trip for a slice of pizza in the afternoon.  We sailed a bit earlier than scheduled at about 4:45 p.m. I guess the Captain wants to stay ahead of the Cold Front and the weather.  At about 5:45, I went up to the Sky Bar for a cocktail before my 6:30 p.m. reservation at the French Bistro: L’Atelier Bistrot.  I ordered the velouté d’Asperges vertes, the excellent  Escargot de Bourgogne, the Cordon Bleu de Veau entrée, and Tarte Tatin for dessert.  All was very good.  The venue and service were very nice, and the dinner was enjoyable.  I did a short walkabout before retiring to the cabin.  It was an easy embarkation day on the MSC Grandiosa.

Sunday - February 1st, 2026  -  Day at Sea 

Rocking seas overnight as expected, but I slept well.  Very wise of the Captain to alter our itinerary to avoid the cold weather.  I had a very easy morning, then did a walkabout on deck 6 and made a reservation for a specialty restaurant for noon today at the Bistro service desk.  At 11:15 a.m. I attended the MSC Blue Diamond gathering in the Champagne Bar.  It was nice to see the Staff officers again who spent time at every table.  I enjoyed a beverage and saw familiar, new, and old friends.  It was a nice event.  At noon, I went to the Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse.  I chose to sit outside, overlooking the Deck Six promenade (photo).  Lunch was fantastic. I ordered my favorites:  the Burrata cheese and Beetroot, the wonderful Shrimp Cocktail, the Filet Mignon entree with Onion Rings, and Mashed Potatoes.  The bread served was piping hot and melted the butter easily, a bonus for being served at opening.  The shrimp cocktail is smaller, but still very nice, with jumbo shrimp.  Afterward, I went to the Spa for a wonderful haircut and shampoo; they have a nice Barber Shop that is very convenient.  I had a restful afternoon and noticed that the Disney and RCL ships were sailing alongside us, all seeking warmer weather.  There were snow flurries in our part of Florida early this morning.  I watched/streamed the movie God Bless America (2011) this evening, then went to the Il Campo Restaurant MDR for the Gala Night menu.  I went late, after 8:00 p.m., because of the large lunch at noon.  My meal was similar: Shrimp Cocktail,  Filet Mignon, an additional Lobster entree, and the Baked Alaska for dessert.  Best menu night of the 7 days in the MDR’s.  The food was good, as was the service.  Afterward, I went to the Sky Lounge for Jazz music and cocktails.  A longer and great day for me on the MSC Grandiosa.

Monday - February 2nd, 2026  -  Day at Sea 

Rolling seas overnight, and I slept very well.  We moved our clocks forward one hour, and I’m having a casual morning, no appetite for breakfast with the larger meals I have enjoyed so far.  Business and balancing my accounts this morning.  I have the perfect cabin for this weather; the very large window is perfect.  The temperature has warmed, but it is overcast and rainy.  I did a walkabout around noon, and there were very interesting happenings around the ship. Most organized pool games are now in the Promenade, and guests are having a good time.  At about 12:30 p.m.,  I went to Hola! Cantina for lunch.  I had all of my favorites: two Mango Margaritas, Queso Fundido, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, a half dozen of various types of Street Tacos, Flan, and a limited-edition, first-for-me Ice Cream Taco for dessert.  I love anything different…Vanilla ice cream with Caramel sauce and topped with Marshmallows.  The taco shell was the texture of an ice cream cone flavored with cinnamon.  Excellent!  Another walkabout, and I enjoyed the stained-glass window effect with sea life above the promenade (photo).  I had a relaxing afternoon in the cozy cabin, perfect for the current weather. Jam did a great job cleaning it up and stocking ice for me.  At 7:30 p.m. I went to deck 7 for dinner at Kaito Tappenyaki. I ordered my favorite Shogan Dinner, which features Wagyu Beef and Lobster.  I also had Saki and a Kirin Beer. All was good, as was the service.  I retired to the cabin but couldn’t sleep, so I watched some old Television show until I fell asleep.  A good sea day.

Tuesday - February 3rd, 2026  -  San Juan, Puerto Rico  

Rolling seas overnight.  I slept late, and we were already docked in San Juan on this rainy morning.  My telephone service works here in Puerto Rico, so I was able to do some secure business that requires two-factor confirmation before a late breakfast.  I went to the Marketplace buffet at about 11:00 a.m., and they served until 11:30, which was convenient for me.  I actually made some breakfast sliders of Biscuits and Bacon, with whole milk, cinnamon roll, and scrambled eggs, very good actually.  The weather improved, and I debarked the ship at about 12:30 p.m.  It actually never rained again, and it was cool for walking.  I took my time walking up the hill, eventually arriving at La Taberna Lupulo, one of my favorite watering holes in Old San Juan (OSJ).  They no longer carry the Pilsner I preferred, but had a choice of three canned Pilsners.  I chose the one made locally, and it was very good.  I met a couple from Pasco County and a wanna-be Texan (who was Asian) who insisted on buying me beers.  Very interesting afternoon.   I began my way back to the ship and stopped at the new big Hotspot, The Drunken Cookie.  Lots of fresh cookie options, including Cookie Shots… a cookie shot glass with your choice of liquor.  I went with Cookies & Cream with a shot of Captain Morgan.  Very interesting and very busy.  I continued my downhill walk to the ship, arriving at about 4:45 p.m.  A nice adventure in OSJ.  At 7:30 p.m., I went to the Butcher’s Cut for dinner and had the same great seat overlooking the promenade and the same waiter.  Tonight I ordered a Cosmopolitan Cocktail, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Tomato Soup, and the bone-in Rib-eye Steak with Onion rings and Baked Potato.  It was very good.  They had a very interesting animated Pirate sequence on the overhead screen this evening.   No walkabout tonight, I retired to the cabin to update this blog and get some rest.  It was a fun day in OSJ and on the MSC Grandiosa.

Wednesday - February 4th, 2026  -  Puerto Plata,  Dominican Republic  

Rolling seas overnight, but I slept very well.  We were docked at about 10:00 a.m., and I had a relaxing morning.  At about 11:00 a.m. I went up to the Marketplace Buffet for breakfast. I got a custom omelette from the omelette station, but my custom Bacon Sandwiches (by me) were the best.  I walked to town because the weather was pleasant, dry, and cool.  The port area is worse than Costa Maya in terms of how far one has to walk just to get out of it. One in town, I found a great seat in an Adirondack chair in the middle of the busy Umbrella Street and watched local dancers entertain the tourists.  I spent some time visiting with a new friend sailing on the NCL ship, and enjoyed some El Presidente beers.  Very pleasant.  I returned to the port early.  Taino Bay at the port is nice for guests who just want to get off the ship, as it offers a pool, shopping, food, and even a lazy river. BTW, all included in your port fees, I may try that lazy river myself in the future.  I enjoyed a large Coca-Cola and a Mai Tai, the drink of the day, as soon as I arrived back on board.  After a relaxing afternoon, I did a walkabout and booked a future cruise on the new MSC World Atlantic for November 2027.  I went up to the Sky Lounge for cocktails and enjoyed the new jazz saxophonist (at least new to me from my previous cruise) (photo).  Very nice evening.  I went for a later dinner at about 8:15 p.m. at the Il Campo Restaurant for my 2nd-favorite MDR menu, which I may elevate to my favorite.  They have great appetizers on the menu, and I ordered four: the Escargot (as good as the Bistro), the Seafood Newberg (with great scallops), the Beetroot Salad (as good as the steakhouse), and a Shrimp Cocktail.  My entrée was a Tenderloin Steak with Vegetables.  All was great, as was the service.  Interesting conversation with the English couple next to me, too.  Afterward, I retired to the cabin.  I really don’t do the shows anymore, having seen them all.  It was another fun port day on the MSC Grandiosa.

Thursday - February 5th, 2026  -  Day at Sea 

Smoother seas overnight, and I slept fairly well.  We also changed our time back an hour to U.S. Eastern or Florida time.  Overcast day, it hasn’t been the best of weather for outdoor enthusiasts on this cruise, but the Pool deck was still very crowded when I did my morning walkabout.  At about 11:00 a.m. I had my Bacon Sandwiches in the Buffet. Easy and quick, even when busy.   I did some business on this big down day in the markets, then did a long walkabout visiting many areas of the ship I had not yet been to.  It is a beautiful ship, and I like the layout.  I did have a Pizza and Salad at the Buffet.  At 4:15 p.m. I attended the Diamond Party in the Carousel Room. It was short and sweet.  The solo entertainer performed, a juggler, and the Hotel Director gave a toast.  Basically, that was it.  We were offered the usual drinks and some canapés, but it seemed somewhat lacking.  I was quite pleased with the Blue Diamond party earlier in the week.  I went to the French Bistro Bar for cocktails prior to my reservation at L’Atelier Bistrot this evening.  My meal was exceptional. I ordered the premium entree ($10 supplement): Fettuccine Au Homard, consisting of Handmade pasta with Lobster in a Tarragon Cream Sauce (photo above).  I also had the Escargot, Salade Verte, and Frites Maison with wonderful bread.  Much better choice than my Saturday bistro dinner. I made it back to the cabin for my 8:20 p.m. start of the opening season softball game with my Oklahoma Sooners.  I could stream it, and it was an exciting game: OU beat Arizona State 2-1.  It was a nice final sea day on the MSC Grandiosa. 

Friday - February 6th, 2026  -  Nassau, Bahamas 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  Windy and overcast today, and only a short port stop, BoB at 2:30 p.m. and sailing @ 3:00, so I’m staying on board.  I will try to get a photo of the three MSC ships (Poesia & Seashore) in port today, though (photo on the right).  We were already docked when I woke @ 7:30 a.m.  I updated this blog and reviewed the Market futures.  It was a record day in the markets, so yesterday's work paid off well.  I did a walkabout to see the MSC ships and the new improvements to the Nassau pier.  I went to lunch at the Marketplace and enjoyed a large salad and pepperoni pizza again.  They had Hearts of Palm at the larger salad bar today.  Very good.  About the time we sailed away @ 3:00 p.m., the sun actually came out for basically the first time on this cruise.  It felt good.  I watched some Oklahoma Softball in the early evening, then went to the Butcher’s Cut for dinner and again had the same great seat overlooking the promenade and the same great waiter, Shankaren from Maritius.  Tonight I ordered a Cosmopolitan Cocktail, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Beetroot & Burrata Salad, and the (butterflied) Filet Mignon Steak with Creamed Spinach and Baked Potato.  It was very good.  They had a very interesting animated Space Odyssey sequence on the overhead screen this evening.  I then took a final walkabout, stopping in the Casino to make change for tipping, and had some Cosmopolitan cocktails before retiring.

Saturday - February 7th, 2026  -  Debarkation - Port Canaveral, FL

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  Because self-debark with bags began at 6:00 a.m., when I left the cabin at about 7:00 a.m., there was no line at all, and I was off the ship, through security, and on the street by 7:15 a.m.  I made my way to the Park-N-Cruise shuttle, and we were off by 7:30 and at my car on the road by 7:45 a.m.  Easy Peasy.

NOTES:

Lots of great food, as I had 6 premium meals.  Three at the Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse.

The weather was much cooler than normal, even in the Islands.

NCL Dawn - January 18, 2026

NCL Dawn - January 18, 2026

I’m sailing as a solo from Tampa on the Norwegian Dawn.  This is the closest port to me, although not my favorite, because it handles only smaller ships, given the clearance issues posed by the huge 4-mile-long Sunshine Skyway Bridge separating the Gulf of America and Tampa Bay.  This is my 11th cruise on Norwegian Cruiseline and my 230th cruise overall.

Sunday - January 18, 2026 - Embarkation 

I woke early, finished packing for the cruise, and arranged an Uber for a 9:45 a.m. pick-up.  The weather is cool and damp, and I hoped to board before the rain. We arrived at about 10:45, which was perfect for my assigned boarding time at 11:00 a.m.   I was processed quickly through the Priority line and had only a short wait before we boarded just after 11:00 a.m., just before the rain. No dropping off of bags in cabins, so I went up to deck 12 and the buffet.  I had a nice sample plate of various entrees offered and a selection of specialty salads.   I then went to my Muster Station, where they scanned my card.  My next stop was at Guest Services and the Excursion Desk, where I booked a trip for the Belize port stop.  Then I made four reservations for the week at Specialty restaurants.  Soon afterward, the cabins were available, and I went down to deck 4 and my ocean-view cabin (photo).  My cabin is fine, although both the Television Set and the Porthole are very small.  Adequate wardrobe and drawers for a solo, and the bed was comfortable.  A bit dated overall.  I watched the NFL playoffs on cabin TV, thanks to NCL for allowing it.  On my laptop, I streamed an episode of The Closer. I have been watching that classic drama for two weeks, and I am almost through season six.  At 6:00 p.m., I went to my first specialty restaurant, La Cucina Italiana, for dinner.  I ordered the Speghetti Carbonara Pasta course and the Rib-Eye steak entree.  Both were very good, and the steak was cooked perfectly.  I enjoyed a very nice Panna Cotta for dessert.  After dinner, I retired to the cabin to watch the second NFL game and begin this Blog post.  It was a great embarkation day on the NCL Dawn.

Monday - January 19th, 2026 - Day at Sea 

Mostly smooth seas overnight; I slept well but woke very early. I skipped breakfast and had an easy morning streaming entertainment and doing some business online.   At about noon, I went to the Venetian Restaurant, the primary MDR for lunch.  It wasn’t too busy, so the service was excellent.  I ordered the Italian Wedding Soup and two entrees: the Chicken Milanese and a Classic Cheeseburger with a nice Flan for dessert.  It was a nice lunch with a view of the ships' aft wake.  Since I don’t have a drink package this cruise, I signed up for the Martini Tasting at 2:00 p.m. in the Gatsby Bar on deck six.  It was interesting, though I probably wouldn't order any of the samples (see photo).  The bonus drink was a Pistachio Martini, which I enjoyed.  The tasting was a good value at $ 20 + $5 tip.  I signed up for two more on the final sea day.  At 5:00 p.m. I went to the Bliss Ultra Lounge for the NCL Latitude Guests reception.  They had good entertainment, and most of the NCL Dawn staff officers were in attendance.  I enjoyed Diet Coca-Cola and scored extras to take back to the cabin.  Tonight I had dinner at Moderno Churrascaria on deck 13 at 7:15 p.m.  I love the Salad Bar, especially the Hearts of Palm, Beet Root, and Shrimp Salad.  The meats are served churrascaria style, and my favorites are the Filet Mignon, Pork Loin, and Picanha. Of course, the Cinnamon Pineapple is my favorite, and all is served with five small side dishes that I did not eat.  Also, a Flan for dessert, making this a hearty meal.  Well worth the $40+$10 premium price.  There was a great band in the Atrium tonight, but I soon retired to the cabin to update this blog and stream the NCAA National Championship football game on the laptop. Congratulation Indiana University.  It was a perfect sea day on the NCL Dawn.

Tuesday - January 20th, 2026 - Cozumel, Mexico 

Rolling seas overnight, and I slept very well.  My plan was to have a haircut day, but I was thrown a curve when we docked at Carnival’s Puerto Maya pier.  At about 10:15 a.m. I walked over to Del Mar Latino Beach Bar, and they were sold out, but they squeezed me in when the bar servers all greeted me when they saw me.  I’m a regular here, as you know from my blogs.  It was busier than usual, so I took a table as I didn’t wear swimwear, and it would be easier to use my laptop.  My server, Jazzy (photo), started me off with Coca-Cola as usual, and a large Shrimp Cocktail and Jumbo Fried Shrimp.  Excellent as usual.  I was able to get some Bosque Travel business done as well before switching to Mojitos for the rest of the afternoon.  It was a very pleasant day too, only in the 72-75° range with a breeze.  I had a double order of Coconut Shrimp before leaving early at about 2:30 p.m., since it looked like we might get a rain shower.  I walked back slowly and was back on board at about 3:00 p.m.  It never rained, but the weather made our sailaway interesting, and we had rolling seas the rest of the evening.  At about 5:45 p.m. I went to The Venetian MDR for dinner and had a view of the sundown from my two-top table.  I ordered a Caesar Salad, the NY Strip Steak entree, the Flounder Fish entree, and a delicious Bananas Foster dessert.  I did a short walkabout the ship, but retired early to the cabin to update this blog and stream some television.  It was an unexpectedly different but wonderful day in Cozumel.

Wednesday - January 21st, 2026 - Harvest Caye, Belize  

Rolling seas contiued and we set our clocks back one hour overnight. I woke early and went to O’Sheehan’s for an early breakfast at about 6:30 a.m.  There were more guests than I expected, but many failed to set their clocks.  I ordered the American breakfast: two eggs, bacon (or sausage), and potatoes.  Perfect early choice, and they found hot milk for me too.  We docked a little late as the weather is very questionable.  I was truthfully hoping for excursion cancellations, but wasn’t done.  I was almost first off the ship as my cabin is the closest to the gangway on deck 4.  Yesterday we used the starboard side, but today the port side.  A very long walk on the pier to the island.  This is my second time here. I came when it first opened a few years back and was unimpressed, but the landscaping, additional buildings, and activities have helped.  I’m doing the Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins excursion, so I went straight to the harbor where I took the 35-minute large tender to the mainland and the buses.  It was well organized for finding your bus for your excursion.  It was an hour-long drive to the Nim Li Punit Archaeological Park, located deep in the jungle but well organized for tours.  Nice small museum and clean toilets. There were about seven stops along the path through the Mayan ruins.  No surviving Temples that I saw, only ruins, but there may have been more unexcavated or further sites off the beaten path.  Nim Li Punit means ‘large hat’ in the Mayan language, and you can see the priest in the carving from this site wearing a large hat in the photo. The flora and fauna were interesting as well.  The weather was still very cloudy, but it never rained.  We then went to a nearby resort for a Belizean lunch of Beans & Rice, Chicken, and Slaw. It was well organized and lacated a nice, modern building.  After lunch, we did our hour drive back to the harbor.  I opted to take a speedboat back.  It was open-air, but exciting, and a lot faster trip back to Harvest Caye.  I took the shuttle cart back to the ship, and it was easy to reboard, as it was only three feet to my cabin door after security.  Very nice Chocolate-covered Strawberries were delivered, and a very refreshing welcome back onboard.  At about 6:00 p.m. I went to O’Sheehan’s for dinner.  I ordered a Fish & Chips and a Cheeseburger, and they were very good.  No walkabout tonight, too much walking today, so I retired early and will try to find the last episode of Landman online.  It was an enjoyable day in Belize.

Thursday - January 22nd, 2026 - Roatan Island, Honduras  

Smoother seas overnight, and I slept well.  We are at anchor off of Coxen Hole, and guests are being tendered to the dock today.  I’m not involving myself in the rush to the tenders today, and at about 8:15 a.m., I went to The Venetian MDR for a hearty breakfast.  I ordered a nice Fruit Plate, three Eggs over-easy, with Toast, double Bacon (excellent), and breakfast Potatoes.  I had cabin time the rest of the morning until I decided to go into Coxen Hole at about 12:30 p.m.  The tenders were located on my deck and no long line; in fact, there were only three guests and two crew members on my tender.  I did a walkabout of the new port area before going into town.  I went to my local hole-in-the-wall place with the coldest beer in town.  I enjoyed my Salva Vita beers out over the water on the outer deck.  I return by 3:00 p.m again, no wait or line for the tenders.  I enjoyed my walkabout, and the weather was great.  After a refreshing shower, I decided to eat early, so I went back to O’Sheehan’s because they are always open and serve food almost all the time.  I even ordered the same, Fish & Chips, a Cheeseburger, and added a Coney Dog with chili.  It was good.  I did a walkabout the ship, but soon returned to the cabin.  I watched the 4th and final episode of Death by Lightning, an original Netflix docudrama I watched on this cruise.  It’s about President James Garfield and his assassin, Charles Guiteau.  I enjoyed it. It was a nice day on the NCL Dawn.

Friday - January 23rd, 2026 - Puerto Maya, Mexico 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept very well, the best of the cruise.  We also set our time back to EST overnight, so we are back on Tampa time.  I’m not getting off the ship. When they have multiple mega ships docked here, it really overwhelms the port's capacity.  Even getting through to the Taxi stands to go to Mahaual and the beaches is not easy.  This port will be expanded when Royal Caribbean converts it to a private cruise port.  I had cabin time until I went up to the Garden Buffet at about 11:30 p.m.  I had a very mixed assortment of food.  I enjoyed the Pork Loin and my Salad most; they even had jicama at the salad bar.  After lunch, I enjoyed the outer decks and the beautiful water here for a good while before nap time.  This was to be my final NCL cruise, but I thought I liked the number 12 better as a final cruise total.  I also discovered I had over $500 in reward points on my BOA NCL credit card, so I bought a $500 Future Cruise Certificate.  That earns a $250 OBC for this cruise.  There will be one more NCL cruise in my future, hopefully.  I listen to music in the Atrium before going up to deck 13 and Cagny’s Steakhouse.  I had a Cosmopolitan cocktail and ordered the Shrimp Cocktail. Filet Mignon with Mashed Potatoes and Creamed Spinach.  Dessert was Cheesecake with a Caramel Topping.  The food and service were good.  I retired after dinner to update this blog and watch some television.  It was a relaxing day on the Dawn.

Saturday - January 24th, 2026 - Day at Sea 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  At about 9:15 a.m. this morning, I went to the MDR for breakfast.  I ordered my favorite Eggs over-easy with toast and bacon.  I sat at a shared table and learned there were embark problems after I had boarded early.  Good karma on that situation.  I hope tomorrow goes smoothly.  I relaxed until my scheduled 1:00 p.m. Mojito Class at the Gatsby Bar.  It was good, and I learned some cocktail ideas for myself, nothing they did, but some of the ingredients that I can personalize for my preferences.  Afterward, I listened to the piano and a female soloist entertain.  I’m sure I’ve heard this duo before on an NCL Cruise. They were very good.  Then I attended the latter Martini Class in the Gatsby Bar.  Interesting cocktails, but nothing I would order again.  I then had some cabin time until dinner, unfortunately, not enough time for a nap.  I went to Moderno for my 7:00 p.m. reservation; it is my favorite, thus the second trip.  I had basically the same as on Tuesday evening.  I did have the Rice Pudding for dessert this time.  I retired to the cabin to do some preliminary packing before going to bed.  It was a nice, restful seaday on the Norwegian Dawn.

Sunday - January 25, 2026 - Debarkation 

Debarkation went as smoothly as possible…so easy.  I waited until the end of self and begining of VIP tags to leave.  I easily got an elevator to deck 6 and walked directly to the gangway.  I was through security and at the pickup area at about 7:50.  My driver was there waiting, and I was at home by 8:15 a.m.  Wow!

COMMENTS

Met or Exceeded Expectation

Moderno Churrascaria

Cocktail Sessions @ Gatsby Bar

O’Sheehan's

NOT so good Situations IMHO

If you have a drink package, you can’t get canned Coke to take away.  It must be a fountain drink.
Even though, as a solo paying two fares, you get charged $5 for a second entree in the MDR.

MSC Grandiosa - December 6, 2025

MSC Grandiosa December 6, 2025

Just the Facts

Ship:  MSC Grandiosa (2019) - 181,500 tons - 6300 pax

Captain: Danilo Cha (Italy)  /  Hotel Director: Hinesh Mensee (India)  /  Cruise Director: Gavin Carroll (UK)

Ports: Port Canaveral, FL -  Nassau, Bahamas - 

Ocean Cay, Bahamas- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

 - Port Canaveral, FL

I’m cruising solo on the inaugural American cruise of the MSC Grandiosa.  This is my first cruise on this ship, my 31st cruise on MSC, and my 229th cruise overall.  I have the Blue Diamond loyalty status on MSC.

Saturday - December 6, 2025  -  Embarkation - Port Canaveral, Florida 

I woke early, finished packing, and hit the road at about 8:00 a.m. for my 2+ hour drive to Merritt Island, Florida.  On this trip, I parked at Port Canaveral Parking because I failed to make a reservation with Park-N-Cruise.  It went well, especially considering the problems that made this a very different embarkation day.  First, this is the inaugural cruise for the MSC Grandiosa from Port Canaveral, so all the crew had to go through U.S. Customs upon arrival from Europe, plus all the required ship inspections.  But the major problem was the ship's late docking this morning due to fog.  You can imagine all the resulting issues.  The terminal wasn’t opened for new guests until about 1:20 p.m.  It’s easy to say that the entry lines were the longest I have ever seen.  The Yacht Club boarding line helped me somewhat, as we were the first to enter, and I had a shaded area for our line.  I made new friends along the way.  While in the comfortable YC area, being checked in, I realized I didn’t have my backpack; I had left it on the shuttle bus.  I had given my seat upfront to a handicapped lady and moved away, but it was my fault for not remembering to get it.  Considering the big mess outside, I actually retrieved it without too much trouble.  I called the parking lot, and they had it (for hours), then sent it on the next shuttle to the port.  Today was a very different embarkation process for me.  Exhausted, I arrived at my cabin just before 3:00 p.m.  Since I had rolled my bag on, I unpacked and freshened up for a much-needed cocktail.  Today I was happy to have the early 5:30 p.m. dining assignment, since there was no time for lunch.  A very good thing was seeing my friend Mirela being promoted to the Beverage Manager position (photo).  She took very good care of me on the MSC World America, and she will be an asset to the MSC Grandiosa.  My cocktails and service were excellent at the Grandiosa Bar on Deck 6 forward, and it was just an easy walk to the La Perle Grise restaurant on Deck 6 aft.  I have a one-top table (yes, really) near the entry.  I ordered: the Tomato Soup, a Greek Salad, a Stuffed Meatball, a Shrimp Cocktail, a large, beautiful Prime Rib entree with Horseradish sauce, and a Pistachio cake for dessert.  It was an excellent meal with good service.  Only a small walkabout after dinner, as I needed rest, and retired to the cabin and went straight to sleep.

Sunday - December 7, 2025  -  Nassau, Bahamas 

Smooth seas overnight for the short trip to Nassau.  I woke in the night, watched some online highlights of the NCAA championship games on Saturday, and also updated this blog.  I got more sleep then woke at about 9:00 a.m., just before my room service breakfast was delivered.  I enjoyed Hot Milk, Danish, and a Fruit Plate on my balcony while watching us sail into the Nassau harbor.  A perfect relaxing morning, so different than yesterday.  There are five ships docked with us at this always busy harbor today: Wonder of the Seas, Radience OTS, Adventure OTS, Disney Wonder, and the MSC Grandiosa (photo).  MSC has grown so much that five different MSC ships will be docking here this week.  I usually take a casual walk to the Fish Fry here in Nassau, but last month, my favorite spot, Goldies, burned down, so I’m staying on board and booked the Tappenyaki for tonight.  They have the Caribbean menu, my least favorite, in the MDR tonight, which was another factor.  I went down to Deck 7, finalized my specialty dining for the week, enjoyed a Bloody Mary at the Edge Cocktail Bar and a Diet Coke, then took two Cokes for the cabin.  I had balcony time and relaxed most of the day.  At about 1:00 p.m.  I went up to the Marketplace for some excellent Peperoni Pizza, the best pizza at sea.  My cabin was cleaned when I arrived back, and I had balcony time for the afternoon.  I went down to the Masters of the Sea pub on deck 7 to watch the end of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game and drink a Pilsner Urquel beer.   At about 5:30, I went to the Tappenkaki Restaurant for my specialty dinner.  I ordered the premium Shogun menu, which features Lobster & Scallops and Wagyu Beef.  We were served the Sushi Course first, then the Fish Course, then the Fried Rice, then the beef course, with Ginger ice cream for dessert.  The food was excellent, as was our Chef Mike's entertainment.  After dinner, I went to the Carousal Lounge for the exclusive production show, Sweet, which combines acrobatics, dance, and music.  There is a fee for this, similar to the Cirque du Soleil shows they used to feature in pre-COVID days.  It was very entertaining.  After the show, I went up to the Sky Lounge on Deck 18.  It is a beautiful lounge, and a Jazz combo was playing when I arrived.  You could also watch the SNF football game on the big screen TV below on deck 15.  The Elderflower martinis were also good.  It was a late night for me.  It was a great day on the MSC Grandiosa with great Food, great Entertainment, and great Jazz and cocktails.

Monday - December 8, 2025  -  Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas 

Another short cruise distance to sail with slightly rocking seas overnight.  I slept well and had a nice room-service delivery around 9:00 a.m., so I enjoyed my Hot Milk, Danish, and fruit plate on the balcony.  The water here is so beautiful.  My balcony is on the sun side today, so I went up to the Sky Lounge on deck 18 and enjoyed the gorgeous views in nice air-conditioned comfort.  I had good cell service from up there, too.  I had lunch in the Marketplace Buffet.  I had Pulled Pork Enchiladas (delicious), a Green Salad with Artichokes, and Pepperoni Pizza (always good).  I had cabin time most of the afternoon, updating this blog and attending to the usual Monday business.  I’m glad I brought my new Venty Fan.  It is fantastic for travel.  At about 5:00 p.m.  I went up to the Sky Lounge for cocktails and enjoyed our sail away from Ocean Cay and the beautiful sunset views.  At 6:30 p.m.  I went to The Butcher’s Cut steakhouse for my 2nd dinner on my dining package.  I had a lovely table outside, so it was a great spot for people-watching, and Orlin was an excellent waiter.  I ordered two appetizers instead of dessert: the Burrata & Beets and the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail.  A senior staff member saw me at the perfect moment and brought me a second Shrimp Cocktail… thank you.  My entrée was a giant Rib-eye Steak, and it was delicious.  An outstanding dining experience.  Afterward, I went back to the Sky Lounge to see the whole show by the three-piece Jazz Group that I had heard briefly last night.  They were very good.  I retired at about 10:00 p.m.  It was an effortless and relaxing day at Ocean Cay. 

Tuesday - December 9, 2025  -  Day at Sea  

Some rolling seas overnight, and I slept well.  We did turn our time/clocks forward one hour.  I had the same room-service order delivered this morning and enjoyed my hot milk and Danish on the balcony.  I had a relaxing morning, then did a walkabout and had a Bloody Mary before going to the Blue Diamond party in the Champagne Bar at 11:30 a.m.  I was very pleased to see a Blue Diamond (only) event on board.  I met the Captain, Cruise Director, Hotel Director, and GSM (guest services manager), who went from table to table and posed for photos (photo left).  I sat with a charming couple from Hong Kong who travel and cruise a lot.  It was great fun to compare notes.  Their favorite cruise line is also MSC.  Mirela also sent an Elderflower Martini to my table; she knows my favorites.  It was a nice event, and I enjoyed it.  Afterward, I joined my new friends R&J for the Sea Day Brunch.  Although it was past noon, I went with a breakfast order of Hot Tea, Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Potatoes, and a Fruit Plate.  The food was good as was the company.  I went back to the cabin for some rest in the afternoon.  It's incredible how close we sailed just north of Cuba for the best part of the day.  Tonight is the Gala Dinner, so I went to the MDR at 5:30 p.m. for a fantastic dinner.  I ordered two Shrimp Cocktails and two entrees: the Lobster & Shrimp and the Filet Mignon, both cooked perfectly and great.  I ordered the ice cream for dessert.  Afterward, I went up to the Sky Bar for a late cocktail and listen to jazz clarinet music.  It was a lovely seaday on the MSC Grandiosa. 

Wednesday - December 10, 2025  -  Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic 

Slightly rolling seas overnight, and I slept very well.  I had my room-service breakfast on the balcony again, and it was a perfect morning with a view of the DR mountains.  Later, an RCL ship docked next to us, spoiling the view, but I was preparing to go ashore by then.  I haven't been off the ship as yet, and I needed some exercise.  Most of the walk is actually in the Taino Bay Port area.  Taino Bay is designed so that all guests must pass through the park's Attractions and Vendors before exiting into the city streets.  Once out, it's only five/six blocks, slightly uphill, to the downtown area (photo).  The Umbrella Street has really become popular since I was here last.  I walked it twice to catch every new bar and shop.  From here, you're only two blocks from the Cathedral, located on the central Square.  This area was also busy today.  The square was decorated for Christmas, with calypso singers and dancers as well.  I found a shady park bench and just sat for a while, taking in the local atmosphere, although tourists were everywhere.  I slowly made my way back down to the MSC Grandiosa and was on Deck 15 enjoying Pepperoni Pizza by 1:00 p.m.  I then took ice and Coca-Cola back to the cabin to cool off from the hot day and relax for the rest of the afternoon.  I did an early evening walkabout, stopping at the Photo Gallery for a complimentary photo, then up to the Sky Lounge for cocktails.  I wanted a French aperitif since I’m having French food this evening, but there was no anise in the bar, so I had my usual.  I must say the bartenders and bar service are excellent.  Sailaway was wonderful from deck 18, with sweeping views of the Fort and the city, followed by a beautiful sunset behind the mountains.  I’m dining at the French bistro L’Atelier Bistrot this evening, and I had already met my senior waiter, so I had excellent service.  I ordered the Velouté d’Asperges, Escargots de Bourgogne au Gratin, and the Cordon Bleu de Veau entrée with Salade Verte and Haricots Verts.  For dessert, I had the Tarte Au Citron.  It was an excellent meal.  No walkabout tonight, I retired after dinner.  It was a wonderful day in port and on the MSC Grandiosa.

Thursday - December 11, 2025  -  Day at Sea 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well, waking in the night to update this blog, then back to sleep.  My room-service breakfast arrived just before 7:00 a.m., as I had an early appointment.  I ordered the usual, but ate inside the cabin as it was dark outside.  At about 8:30 a.m.  I went to the Theater for an MSC Grandiosa Behind-the-Scenes ship tour.  My new friends were in my group that began the tour in the theater's Control Center, then moved to the Stage area, and finally to the backstage dressing rooms of the dancers and singers.  Then we went down to decks 2 & 3 and the Laundry facilities.  We saw the guest laundry, the crew laundry, and the giant washing machines for linens, towels, and more.  The automatic folding machines for towels and bed sheets were impressive.  On deck 4, we saw the main dry storage area and then the Cold storage area.  There is a lot of walking and stairs on this tour, good exercise at the least. Several of us bailed on the tour at this point, missing the Galley area.  At 11:30 a.m., I made a brief appearance at the Past Guest Reception on Deck 6.  The best part is when they show the MSC Grandiosa’s history on the electronic ceiling.  Earlier, I saw the ceiling shift from a gallery ceiling to the blue sky.  It is an interesting feature of the ship.  Afterward, I went to the Marketplace Buffet for Pizza and Salad, then spent the afternoon in the cabin or on the balcony.  I saw nearby islands, so I reviewed Marine Traffic to follow the ship's current route as we head north.  Being a geography major, I do enjoy maps.  At 4:15 p.m.  I went to the Diamond Party in the  Carousel Lounge.  I sat with my new friends, and the CD introduced a solo performer and a juggler (photo), then some staff officers.  It was a large crowd, but there were plenty of servers, so the drinks flowed.  I went to the MDR for dinner, as it is my 2nd-favorite menu on a 7-day MSC cruise.  I ordered four appetisers: Escargots, Beetroot Salad, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, and the amazing Seafood Newberg.  My entrée was the Roasted Beef Tenderloin, and I skipped dessert.  It was an excellent meal.  I then went up to the Sky Lounge and enjoyed cocktails and jazz piano.   It was loyalty day with three events, good food, and entertainment on the MSC Grandiosa.

Friday - December 12, 2025  -  Day at Sea 

Some rolling of the seas overnight, just enough to rock one to sleep.  I had the usual items again with a room-service breakfast out on the balcony this morning.  A lovely morning too, and shaded in the mornings.  I had some travel and market business this morning, so I didn’t get out of the cabin until I went to lunch in the MDR at about 1:00 p.m., and I’m glad I did.  I had a very nice Salad with lettuce, olives, focaccia, artichokes, salami, cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes, bocconcini, pepperoncini, with a house vinegar.  Then I had an excellent hamburger with all the fixings, French Fries, and Slaw.  Where has this burger been hiding?  Very pleased.  Back to work in the afternoon, and I did some future travel planning before starting to pack for tomorrow's early debarkation.  I skipped dinner this evening but went up to the Sky Bar for my cocktails and Jazz.  Tonight they had both the Piano and the 3-piece Jazz group.  Very enjoyable.  I returned to the cabin to finish packing, then set my bag out for collection.  I usually roll my own bag off, but after the problems boarding, I decided to simplify debarking as much as possible.  I’m not going to rush either, playing it cool like the Jazz.

Saturday - December 13, 2025  -  Debarkation

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  We were docking well before 5:00 a.m.  I was heading for breakfast just about 7:45 a.m. when a down elevator opened, so I went down to deck 6.  Very short line to exit, but I waited a bit before jumping in.  Knowing that they prioritise my baggage number (#2), I went off with the end of the self-debarkation group.  Yes, my bag was available, so I was soon in the customs line.  Facial recognition goes quickly.  I was soon on the shuttle bus to my parking on the road.  I was home by 11:30 a.m.  

Highlights of the Cruise

The magnificent MSC Grandiosa ship itself.

The Sky Bar and Lounge

The Butcher's Cut

Tappenyakki

Puerto Plata DR